Almost Over

Once again I must apologize for not being faithful to the blog - Facebook has become the priority with easier pic posting and what seems to be more people following my posts.  With that said, since my last post Deacon Harold and I have been meeting ALOT as he gets ready to take over.

Ginni and I will fly to Nassau on Tuesday, SEPT 1 to meet with the Archbishop and conduct our exit interview.  We'll spend the night at Holy Family Parish, then fly to Boston on Wednesday.  No time to relax, however, on Thursday we drive to NH and pass papers on our log home in Hillsborough.  We've been trying to sell since we began this ministry 7 years ago.  When it wouldn't sell we would rent it and that is how we paid the bills.  When our last tenant moved out we put it on the market with another agent and this time, BOOM, we have a reasonable offer and it looks like a done deal.  It was a wonderful property for us when the boys were young, but now its a financial drain and we have no time to use it.  Glad its going to another family with youngsters.

Anyway - since Harold was ordained we have met mid-week and have gone over CCD, RCIA, Funerals, Baptisms, yada yada yada - - we also set up a schedule where each week he'd take 2 weekend services and I'd take two, alternating which two week by week.  Parishioners have said they enjoy his homilies and he seems to know what he's doing. Praise God.

This is our last weekend here - we have been packing and cleaning and uncovering one memory after another.  Last night the AUTEC Navy Base had a farewell party for us that was fantastic.  Great friends, great memories - felt more like family than you can imagine.  One of the guys is a computer guy that documents everything done at the chapel.  He presented us with a list of dates and services I've been part of.  We were surprised to see it included 355 events.

It made me look up other stats. I've baptized 45 children, taught 1st communion for 33 kids, brought 23 teens through Confirmation and introduced 14 adults to Catholicism thru RCIA.  Finally we put 12 faithful men and women in the ground after their funeral.  Things that make you go hmmmmmm.

Tomorrow is Sunday, we're having a combined service of all 4 parishes coming together in Fresh Creek at 11AM, followed by lunch - should be a hoot, even with the remnants of tropical storm Ericka blowing thru.

Not sure if I'll continue the blog once we are home.  As far as we know 5 parishes are interested in my joining them when we return.  We interviewed with them and we have 3 of the 5 that we think would be good - its all up to the Cardinal.

Keep us in your prayers, we need it.
Bye Bye